Senior Specialist, Wine

Permanent position - based in Paris (fluency in French is required)

The Company

Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business, providing clients with exceptional service and expertise through its international network of salerooms and offices. Gooding Christie’s colleagues work closely with teams across Christie’s to deliver exceptional client service and support the continued growth of the automotive business.

Why this role matters

Based in Paris, this role will be responsible for sourcing and inspecting wine consignments for auction, acting as the contact specialist for France. Building close relationships with key stake holders internally, the role also develops close relationships with local private, trade and wine producing clients. Act as local inspector for consignments arriving direct into the Paris warehouse facilities.

How you will make an impact

Business Getting & Client Development

• Serve as a business-getter, evaluating, pricing, and securing wine lots for domestic and international auctions.  
• Arrange and coordinate on-site client visits and collection pack-ups
• Attend regular warehouse visits and inspections – entering information into Christie’s cataloguing databases.
• Project manage the life cycle of an auction, including coordination of lot photography and with marketing/creative teams on auction initiatives.
• Write and prepare catalogue essays and producer headers
• Establish and cultivate long term relationships with novice and seasoned collectors of wine as well as local trade clients and producers; organize and attend networking tasting and dinner events
• Actively engage with Client Strategy and France representatives to develop programming in the region as well as strategize consignment targeting.
• Negotiate competitive deals that are both compelling to the seller and financially sound for the company.
• Continue to follow existing processes and approval matrix for structuring and negotiating deals.

How you will make an impact

• 6+ years of professional experience in a comparable spirits related role, preferably auction, with sound market knowledge of current pricing an authentication trends
• WSET Advanced Certification (L3), USPAP, or comparable education preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of domestic and international client relationship management
• Ability to lead by example and collaboratively work cross-functionally in a large organization
• Demonstrated ability to execution professional valuations and manage commercial terms negotiation
• Skilled in project management, with accountability for the full sale process and ability to prioritize multiple deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including superior written and spoken communication.
• Discretion and the ability to work with confidential information
• Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
• Fluency in French and English